The Origin Stories of No-Shave November & Movember

A lot of men participate in the popular tradition of No-Shave November or Movember without really knowing why they do it. Some are just following a trend of which most people do not know the origins; others do it to raise awareness of prostate cancer and educate their fellow human beings. While this is a noble pursuit, it is important to recognize that No-Shave November and Movember (abbreviated from “moustache November”) are not the same thing.

Movember began in Australia in 2003, and its primary goal is to increase awareness of prostate cancer and help further research in this area. Since its inception, Movember has become a global phenomenon and is currently recognized in 21 different countries around the world. The only rule for Movember is for men to grow out their moustaches only in order to generate conversations regarding men’s health.

No-Shave November, on the other hand, is an American organization that was founded in 2009. The rules of No-Shave November are pretty simple: men are asked to stop shaving their moustaches and beards and donate the money they save on grooming for the month of November to the American Cancer Society. Also, you must start off with a clean shaven face.

In light of No-Shave November and Movember 2016, we have compiled a list of what we think are the ten most interesting and amazing facts about moustaches and beards.

10 Amazing Facts about Moustaches & Beards

For thousands of years, moustaches have been highly regarded status symbols. In prehistoric times, men with long moustaches or heavy beards were usually chosen as the leaders of clans, and facial hair was also used to keep men’s faces warm in freezing climates.

A recent study at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, recorded that a very important benefit of growing out facial hair is that it may instrumentally help protect against skin cancer.

Moustache spoons exist. They date back to the Victorian era and were formulated so that men could eat soup comfortably without the liquids making contact with their facial hair. You can buy them online on eBay.

In Eureka, Nevada, it is illegal for a man sporting a moustache to kiss a woman. This one obviously dates back to the cowboy days, but nonetheless, it is bizarre!

Fully grown moustaches (about 3 days old depending on the man’s ability to grow facial hair) have the capacity to withhold about 30mL of liquid.

There is a competition called the World Beard and Moustache Championship that was started in 1990, and it has been held in various parts of the world throughout the years.

Beards are usually affiliated with intelligence and wisdom. Men who are capable of growing large and full-bodied beards have historically been regarded as being extremely philosophical, intuitive, and they have held high societal positions.

Pogonotomy is the technical term for shaving or removing one’s beard.

Assuming that most men start shaving at the age of 14 and the average lifespan of a man is about 75 years of age; men spend on average 5 months of their lives shaving.

Beards are a safety hazard in close quarters combat because your enemy can easily pull on your facial hair in order to subdue you.